University of New England

Any course offered for credit by the University of New England is designated as residence or campus credit.  This may include University sponsored off-campus experiences including internships, distance learning, exchange programs, and consortium courses.

Associate Degrees:  For an associate degree, a student must complete at least 20 of the last 25 credits in residence at the University of New England.

Bachelor’s Degree:  For a baccalaureate degree, student must complete at least 45 of the last 60 credits in residence at the University of New England.

Second Bachelor’s Degree:  Students who are pursuing a second bachelor’s degree must complete at least 45 semester hours in residence once the first degree is finished.  If the first degree is from the University of New England, the same requirements apply as the first bachelor’s degree.

A waiver of residency requirements may be obtained by written request to:  Registrar’s Office, University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, Maine 04005.  The student’s advisor and the appropriate College Dean’s Office will carefully review each request.  Requestors should receive written notification of the decision within one month of submission.

Academic Load
An undergraduate student's normal academic load ranges from 12 to 18 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Students must obtain advisor permission to enroll in 19 or 20 academic credits per semester, and must obtain academic dean's permission to enroll in greater then 20 credits. A student must register for a minimum of 12 credits per semester in order to maintain status as a full-time student. A student attempting more than 18 credits during a semester will be subject to an overload charge at the part-time per credit tuition rate.

Registration and Enrollment Confirmation
Students matriculated in any undergraduate program must be pre-approved to register for courses, or change course registration, through their advisor. Advising liaisons in CAS are also available in each department to approve courses. In CHP, students may contact their program director or coordinator for this purpose. First-time students will register on appointed dates and will go through a new student orientation . Returning students can preregister for courses at dates established in the University's Academic Calendar.

Course registration must be confirmed through the Office of the Registrar. This is accomplished only after matriculated students have cleared all other offices on campus, i.e., Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Health Center, Security, or other offices through which arrangements must be made in order to become fully enrolled at the University. On-campus students must confirm their enrollment at the beginning of each semester within certain time lines by methods identified by registration services. Instructions regarding enrollment confirmation are e-mailed to each student. Students who do not confirm their registration within the announced time limits are subject to a $75 late confirmation fee.

Course changes are allowed during a designated add/drop period only, as specified on the current academic calendar. Detailed instructions as well as designated time lines regarding the add/drop process are e-mailed to each student. Tuition and/or financial aid may be adjusted, depending on number of credit hours enrolled.

Transfer students should note that they must meet all University of New England requirements to qualify for an associate, bachelor, or master degree. Adherence to this policy should be discussed fully with the faculty advisor and the Registrar before registration is completed.

A pre-matriculated student who wishes to make the transition to matriculated status must first obtain permission from the appropriate dean. The student's academic record will then be evaluated by the Registrar who will make a determination as to the student's classification. All courses are open to qualified students who have met the necessary prerequisites.

Classification
Student-level, or classification, is pertinent to financial aid eligibility, class year, student organizations, information systems, and other post-secondary related institutions or nomenclature. The chart below is intended to clarify student classification:

Minimum Credits Earned Towards UNE Degree:

Audit Policy
A student may, with prior consent of the instructor, enroll in a course for an audit grade ("AU"). This must be done at the time of registration for the course and must be accompanied by signed approval of the instructor. This applies to both matriculated and non-matriculated students. Reversal or change of and audit grade is not possible (i.e., once enrolled for "AU" the grade becomes permanent on a student's academic record). The student who wishes later to be graded for such a course must re-enroll in and pay for graded credit. In auditing a course, the student is expected to attend classes regularly but is not permitted to submit course work for evaluation, take examinations, receive grades, or earn credit. Auditing a course does not count towards enrollment status (i.e., part-time, full-time, etc.) and therefore cannot be considered for financial aid purposes, veterans benefits, etc.

Pass/Fail Policy
Undergraduate students who wish to enroll in a course on a pass/fail basis may do so by notifying the Registrar no later than15 class days into the given semester on a form provided for this purpose. The decision to take a course pass/fail is final. Note: Students may not elect to take a course that satisfies a core requirement on a pass/fail basis.

Passing represents earned grades of an assigned A through C-. The Registrar will translate the letter grade submitted by the instructor to either pass or fail. Most courses are open to pass/fail enrollment except courses in major fields and English composition and courses satisfying core requirements. Students may register for not more than one course per semester on a pass/fail basis (with the exception of student teaching, field education, LAC 020 Math Basics) not to exceed eight courses in a degree program. Students in health science programs should consult their departmental requirements for exceptions to the pass/fail policy.

Incomplete Policy
An incomplete (I) grade may be given by the instructor to a student who is doing passing work in a course, but who, for reasons beyond his/her control, is not able to complete the work on time. The I grade must be changed within the time limit determined by the instructor and may not extend beyond six weeks following the end of the semester or 30 days following the end of an eight-week session. Until changed, the I grade defers computation of credits and grade points for the course to which it is assigned. Failure to complete the work before the limitation date, or within the time imposed by the instructor, results in the assignment of an administrative *F grade for the course. Some programs have established more restrictive or differing policy regarding incomplete grades. Students should consult the program in which they are enrolled for exceptions to this policy. Once an I grade is removed, academic standing will be updated according to dean's list, good standing or probationary standards. If one or more courses are completed late (after the end of the term in which the course was provided due to an "I" grade), then the degree awarded date (if applicable) will be posted in the current term (in progress) when the final course requirements are completed. This practice is consistent with graduation reporting to external sources.

Course Withdrawal Policy
In the fall and spring semesters, a student may withdraw from a course without academic penalty with a grade of W at any time during the first two-thirds of the semester as specified in the current academic calendar. If withdrawal occurs after that date, the grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) will be entered. The grade of WF is computed in the grade point average.

Leave of Absence Policy
A leave of absence for a specified period of time, not to exceed one (1) academic year, may be granted to a matriculated student with the authorization of the academic dean, program/school director or designate and upon completion of the required Request for Leave of Absence form available from the respective program/school director, Student Affairs, Student Registration and Financial Services Center (WCC), or the Office of the Registrar (UC). Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned; however, the student who does not return at the specified time will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Policy on leave of absence tuition credit is found in respective Financial Information sections of this catalog.

Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the office of the appropriate academic dean or program/school director (graduate) or Registrar (undergraduate) to indicate change of plans.

University Withdrawal
All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from your respective program/school director, Student Affairs, Student Registration and Financial Services Center (WCC), or the Office of the Registrar (UC). Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative authorities. Student responsibilities include: (a) knowledge of the University's policies regarding refund of tuition and/or fees as stated in your respective catalog; (b) return of University identification (ID) card to the Office of Student Affairs; (c) return of any University keys in your possession to the appropriate departments. The University reserves the right to withhold the issuance of refunds and transcripts until the process has been completed. Following withdrawal, any student wishing to re-enroll at the University of New England must apply through the Office of Admissions.

Repeat Course Policy
A student may repeat a course in order to improve his/her grade. However, only the second or last course taken will receive credit on the student's transcript, and only the second or last grade received will calculate into the cumulative GPA.

Course Work at Another Institution
Matriculated students who wish to transfer college-level course work taken at other institutions must obtain permission to do so. The student should work closely with his/her advisor regarding this process. Request for Course Work at Another Institution forms are available in the Registrar's Office (University Campus) or Student Registration and Financial Services Center (Westbrook College Campus). A minimum grade of "C-" must be earned for the course in order for it to be accepted by the University of New England (further restrictions may apply - check with department regarding transfer-back policy).

Important note regarding transfer credits: while credits may transfer based on these criteria, grades and/or grade points do not transfer into the student's UNE academic record. Grades for accepted transfer courses are identified on the UNE transcript with a "TR" symbol in the grade column, which denotes credit accepted but no GPA calculation value.

Semester and Term Grade Reports
Semester and term grade reports are issued after examinations have been held at the close of each semester or term. Semester and term grades reported by faculty members to the Office of the Registrar are final. Notices of deficiency, if reported, will be distributed at mid-semester.

Academic Probation and Dismissal
The student who is attempting six credits or more and whose grade point average (GPA) for any semester falls below 1.70 or whose cumulative grade point average is below the minimum acceptable level is automatically placed on probation. A student placed on academic probation will be granted one fall or spring semester to raise his/her cumulative GPA to the minimum acceptable level and will be required to achieve a minimum GPA of 1.70 for the semester. Failure to meet both of these criteria will result in automatic dismissal from the University for academic deficiency.

A student on academic probation is ineligible to participate in major extracurricular activities, including intercollegiate athletics, or to serve as officer or director of any student activity.

The minimum cumulative semester-end grade point averages are:

Academic Honors
The Dean's List contains the names of full-time matriculating students in good academic standing who have attained a semester grade point average of 3.30 or better. The student must have earned at least 12 credits. A grade of D,F or I automatically prohibits a student from receiving this citation. A student must have a minimum of three courses other than pass/fail in order to be named to the Dean's List with the exception of individual courses offered for 8-15 credits.

Alpha Chi National College Honor Society
Alpha Chi is a national college honor scholarship society, founded in 1922, with membership limited to third- and fourth-year students enrolled in institutions with Alpha Chi chapters. To be eligible for active membership, a student must be in the top 10 percent of the third or fourth year.

Citation of Achievement at Graduation
Citations for identified cumulative grade point accomplishments are noted at graduation, and are posted to the student's academic record (transcript). Because of timing issues between final examinations and the ceremony, citations are read at commencement based grades earned through the semester prior to the semester in which commencement is held. The official record (degree award posted on the transcript) will reflect the full eight semesters (or final semester) of a student's academic record. Some changes may occur between these two dates. Undergraduate degrees will be conferred per the following classifications:

Summa Cum Laude on students who have achieved a cumulative grade point (GPA) average between 3.80 - 4.00.
Magna Cum Laude on students who have achieved a cumulative GPA between 3.60 - 3.79.
Cum Laude on students who have achieved a cumulative GPA between 3.30 - 3.59.

Declaration and Change of Major
Before March 15 of the second year, a student is required to make a formal declaration of major using the appropriate form available in the University Campus Registrar's Office or at the Westbrook College Campus Student Registration and Financial Services Center. Students declaring majors in marine biology, medical biology, and elementary education are asked to declare by the end of the first year.  This declaration must be signed by the advisor and the chair/director of the major department. The declared major must be an existing, approved academic program of study.  See undergraduate catalog (majors) for existing programs of study.

Personal Major (College of Arts and Sciences only)

In exceptional circumstances College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) students may propose a personal major as an alternate to a traditional academic major degree program.  Personal major degree programs must have sponsorship of an academic department within CAS and approval of the CAS Dean’s office.  To receive approval of a personal major degree program an undergraduate student must work collaboratively with college/department faculty and the CAS academic dean to design and describe a proposed comprehensive program that combines core curriculum, departmental requirements, and a course of study reflecting the student's personal scholarly interests.  Approval to begin planning and eventually submit a personal major proposal must be obtained through the CAS Dean’s office. To be eligible for consideration of a personal major, students must be in their second year of study and are required to have a minimum 2.50 overall GPA.  Additional policies and procedures regarding proposal protocols are available through the CAS Dean’s office.

Academic Minors
The University of New England offers the option for students to petition for a minor program of study. A "minor" is a structured plan of study outside the student's major. See undergraduate catalog (minors) for available options.  In most cases, the minimum amount of credits required for a minor is 18 credits. Minors do not appear on UNE diplomas.

Student Advising
Students are assigned a faculty advisor who will serve as the students' primary resource for academic and career guidance planning while at the University. Although academic advisors are available to assist students in fulfilling major and graduation requirements, the ultimate responsibility for these matters rests with the student.

Students are also encouraged to avail themselves of additional services provided by the Counseling and Career Center and the Learning Assistance Center.

Student Enrollment Status
The University of New England classifies student load status for purposes of financial aid (FA), loan deferments, and/or Veterans Administration (VA) educational benefits. The following table applies credit hour enrollment to full-time, 3/4 time, or half-time status:

Student Records and Transcripts

Academic Records - Complete records and related documents are maintained in the Office of the University Registrar, Decary Hall. Under the terms of the Buckley/Pell Amendment to the Family Educational and Privacy Act (FERPA), students have the right to review and inspect all official records, files, and data, including all material that is incorporated into each student's cumulative record folder. However, the Department of Health and Human Services has said that clarifying amendments provide that letters of recommendation submitted on the basis of a pledge of confidentiality prior to January 1, 1975 need not be shown to students, and that a student may be allowed but not required to waive his/her right of access to letters of recommendation received after that date. Under the terms of the Buckley/Pell Amendment, post-secondary institutions must provide students not only access to official records directly related to them, but also an opportunity for a hearing to challenge such records on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate. It is the right of students to file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services concerning an alleged failure by an educational agency or institution to comply with section 438 of the Act that guarantees such rights. University students wishing to review their records may do so by providing a written request to the Office of the University Registrar at least 48 hours in advance of the desired appointment.

Student Conduct Records - Student conduct records and related files are maintained by the Office of the Dean of Students in the Student Affairs offices on each campus. Student conduct records/files are maintained under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

1. All student conduct and related files are maintained by the Office of the Dean of Students for a period of no less than four years after separation from the University. Records may be destroyed at that time. Disciplinary records may be retained for longer periods of time or permanently if specified in the terms of disciplinary sanctions.
2. Disciplinary records may be voided by the Dean of Students Office with the concurrence of an Appeals Committee for good cause based upon written petition by student(s).
3. Denials of petitions to void disciplinary records may be appealed to the vice president of academic affairs.

Student Access and Annual Notification

FERPA (see above) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. The student should submit to the Office of the Registrar (at the University Campus) or the Student Registration and Financial Services Center (at the Westbrook College Campus) a written request that identifies the records which they wish to inspect. The office will notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the University Registrar, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If it is determined not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of the right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding hearing procedures will accompany this notification.
3. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her task; or the Veterans Administration for students registered for various GI Bill programs. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failure(s) by the University of New England to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:
   
   Family Policy Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   600 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20202-4605

Directory Information and Disclosure

The University normally will not supply non-related organizations with personally identifiable student information, including directory information. One exception to this policy is the result of a federal law known as the Solomon Amendment which requires the University to release directory information to military recruiters upon request. For this purpose, directory information is defined as: name, address, email, telephone listing, date and place of birth, level of education, academic major, degrees received, and educational institution in which a student most recently was enrolled. Information not required or permitted by the Solomon Amendment and not considered directory information under FERPA will not be released without written permission of the student.

Active students who wish to have directory information withheld from release must do so in writing on a per-academic-year basis. Request forms are available in the Office of the Registrar (University Campus), Student Registration and Financial Services Center (Westbrook College Campus) or Student Affairs Offices at either campus. Requests must be submitted prior to September 30th (if first-time enrollment for academic year is fall semester) or January 30th (if first-time enrollment for academic year is spring semester) to affect a withhold status.

Please remember: active students must renew a request for non-disclosure each year to keep such requests in effect. The University may disclose directory information about former students without meeting notification requirements; however, at the last opportunity as a student (just prior to departure from the University), written requests for non-disclosure will remain in effect until a written request to change non-disclosure status is made by the student.

Response Time and End-of-Term Processing

Due to production demands in registration services (both campuses), requests for student records services cannot be processed on demand. Students are advised to plan on a three-to-five-day turn-around on requests.

At the end of each fall and spring semester, registration offices must process significant volumes of grades, completions, and verifications after all final grades are submitted by instructors. This end-of-term processing is not finished for a minimum of two weeks after the last final exam.

For students graduating at the end of spring semester: degree verification, posting, and diploma printing/mailing must be done after end-of-term grades are processed. Diplomas are not normally mailed for a minimum of four weeks after the last final exam. Students are advised to anticipate waiting these periods of time, and should plan ahead when working with employers, graduate schools, agencies, or licensing bureaus when ordering transcripts, grade reports, or degree verifications.

Transcripts

No official transcript will be issued until all financial obligations have been met.
Transcripts are issued only at the written and signed request of the student. The purpose of this policy is to protect the privacy of the individual concerned and to minimize the possibility of the use of another's transcripts by an imposter. Students are advised to plan on a three-to-five-day turn-around on requests.

Official transcripts are normally issued directly to other educational institutions or prospective employers designated by the student. Official transcripts issued to the student for purposes of transport to another party can be provided in a sealed envelope but will be considered unofficial if opened by the student. Unsealed transcripts issued directly to students are considered unofficial and are stamped Issued to Student.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2007-2008 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2007.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.